Nobel Functions of Ferulic Acid in the Plants,
Especially in the Cereals Takeo OHTA Laboratory of Food and Nutrition, Faculty ofHorticulture, Chiba University Ferulic acid is a phenolic acid, ubiquitous in theplant kingdom, which can be absorbed by the small intestine andexcreted through the urine. Ferulic acid is extensively reported tohave preventive effects against several diseases. It can increasethe ratio of HDL to VLDL+LDL cholesterol, and bioavailability ofvitamin E and decrease total cholesterol in rats. It also increasesvitality of sperm and is a potential medicine for male infertility.Ferulic acid shows strong antioxidant, free radical-scavenging andanti-inflammatory activity, it increases the resistance of LDL toperoxidation, protects LDL cholesterol from oxidation and preventsthe oxidative modification of LDL; it is a good topical protectiveagent against UV radiation-induced skin damage.
The most remarkable function of ferulic acid is its anti-tumor andanti-cancer effect. Several reports have suggested that ferulicacid is chemopreventive on oral cancer and that proved that ferulicacid is a potential chemopreventive component for colon cancer.
Key words: Ferulic acid, LDL, Colon, Cancer, Dietary fiber
Abbreviations used: low-density lipoprotein; LDL, |
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